Weekend Watch Guide: Get Down And Dirty

It's a full slate of live rugby coverage on FloRugby with the Guinness PRO14, Top 14, and USA Rugby Championships all live.

(Note: tThe games for the Guinness PRO14 are available to viewers in Latin America, Spain, Portugal, and France.)

Nov 30

Munster vs Edinburgh KO 19:35 UTC

Munster has won five in a row and now sits 2nd behind Glasgow in Conference A. This makes for a tough game for Juan Pablo Socino and Edinburgh - who have lost two out of their last three.

Munster coach Johann Van Graan makes 11 changes to the squad that beat Zebre last weekend, as the Irish national team players return. Back from injury, scrumhalf Conor Murray looks to make an impact.

Edinburgh has been dealing with injuries, and that means George Taylor makes his debut, partnering with Socino in the midfield.

“As we saw in the quarterfinal last year they put you under quite a bit of pressure. Edinburgh are a tricky team, they box kick so well," said Van Graan. “They have a very specific plan and they’ve got some very good broken field runners.

“It’s been a tight turnaround with regards to training, but we have prepared as well as we can and we will travel with the mindset to win,” added Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill.

Allen Clarke’s Ospreys are unbeaten at home, and Zebre has never beaten the Ospreys home or away. So, of course, you have to watch out.

Alun Wyn Jones will ake his 233rd appearance for the Ospreys, a record for the team; he will have a nive matchup with George Biagi. With five Welsh internationals back, including George North, the Welsh team has to be feeling confident.

“It’s been great to have the full squad together following what was a hugely successful Autumn International period for Wales – the energy and buzz has been fantastic," said Clarke. “Our opponents Zebre are the first in an important series of matches. For us it’s about concentrating on the basics and bringing the energy from training to the eighty minutes that matter.

“It’s a particularly special occasion for Alun Wyn, who will become the most capped Ospreys player of all time. He reflects what we stand for and as a team we want to make it a memorable night.”

French Top 14 (USA Viewers)

Toulon and Grenoble both have struggled, with Toulon's better results mitigated by some losses lately. Grenoble came very close to winning four in a row, only to see it end up with a win, two ties, and a one-point loss. Somebody has to break out.

Guinness PRO14 (Latin America, Spain, Portugal, France)

Cardiff has hit a slump and will welcome USA stars Blaine Scully and Samu Manoa back to the fold along with some Wales internationals. This could be a must-win for the Welsh team against a 5-3-1 Ulster squad poised to chase 1st in Conference B.

The Warriors will be 1st in Conference A win or lose, but have to know teams are gaining on them. With a host of Scottish internationals back, plus two USA players, Glasgow will have its hands full against a Scarlets team in 2nd in Conference B and looking to inch closer to Leinster.

Rugby Rules 101: What Does "Ruck" Mean?

Jun 5, 2020Alex Rees

For new players to the game of rugby, the concept of a "ruck" can be a tricky one to apprehend, as there is no other sport that involves rucking. However, once you've got a clearer picture of a ruck, also known as a "breakdown", it's a relatively easy thing to understand.

Premiership Rugby Eyes Mid-August Return

Jun 5, 2020Alex Rees

Following the league shutdown due to coronavirus in March, the Gallagher Premiership looks set for a return to action on August 15th. One week ago, UK government officials announced that elite-level sports would be able to resume on June 1st behind closed doors.

The 5 Best Women's Rugby Shorts

Jun 4, 2020Alex Rees

Having a comfortable pair of rugby shorts can greatly impact one’s performance during training and games. When choosing shorts, you want to take into consideration the fit and the durability, especially if you’re going to be in the scrum. The last thing you would want is for your shorts to rip during a scrum because the fabric was not durable enough. In addition to the durability, you want to make sure the shorts are breathable and comfortable for tackling, running, and potentially kicking. If you’re in the market for a new pair of shorts, here are five different types of shorts that you can check out:

Rugby vs Soccer: Former SEC Soccer Player Compares The Two

Jun 4, 2020Alex Rees

One of the great things about rugby is that it's a multi-skilled sport which lends itself well to crossover athletes. Particularly in a sports-mad country like the United States, we see tons of players seamlessly make the transition from other sports to rugby.

How To Throw A Great Rugby Pass

Jun 4, 2020Alex Rees

Throwing a great pass can carve up a defense unlike any other facet of the game in rugby. A well-timed, well-placed ball puts a defense under enormous pressure and causes fractures in the defensive line. As long as the ball is placed accurately, on time, and in a position that the receiver can catch the ball on the move without breaking stride, it doesn't matter what it looks like. Heck, if we're looking at football, think of Peyton Manning's passes. One of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game rarely threw a spiral, but he did tick the boxes of accurate, on time, and in stride.

Some Useful Rugby Passing Drills

Jun 3, 2020Alex Rees

Here is a quick, easy passing progression that will help you and your team sharpen your distribution skills and carve opponents up on the weekends. Even the best defenses in the world cannot defend near-perfect passing, so having the ability to run-catch-pass is one of the most lethal weapons in the book.

We Stand With You

Jun 2, 2020Ryan Holmes

The events of the last week have been tremendously painful to us all.

Rugby Drills That Keep Your Social Distance

Jun 2, 2020Alex Rees

As of June 1st, many rugby teams have been granted the option of getting together to conduct practice. However, the practices must adhere to the six feet social distancing rules and players are not allowed to use any equipment. Therefore, options for a practice plan are going to be extremely limited, but that doesn't mean you can't still get some good out of having the team together.

Bring Em Down: How To Tackle Big Guys In Rugby

Jun 2, 2020Alex Rees

For many of rugby players out there, especially us smaller ones, we're all too familiar with the sight of a large, rampaging big man or woman lined up across from us about to get the ball. Our fight or flight instincts kick in, and in that moment of instinctual reaction we dictate the likelihood that the tackle does or does not get made.

Step By Step Guide: How To Break Tackles In Rugby

May 29, 2020Alex Rees

One of the best ways to completely unhinge a defense is to beat your defender one on one with a step or a tackle bust. While not all of us can step like Cheslin Kolbe, we do all have the ability to break a tackle and get our team on the front foot. No matter your size, speed, or strength, you can always bust out of a tackle with some clever use of footwork and a trust in your balance.